I think we can manage an agreement if we say that traditionally an RPG consists of

- a role you play
- experience points
- upleveling (what a word !)
- a certain rule set
- character creation / changing (meaning upleveling)

Would you agree to that - with the word traditionally explicitely given ?

When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it.
--Dilbert cartoon

"Interplay.some zombiefied unlife thing going on there" - skavenhorde at RPGWatch